Network of volunteers to check pre-poll cash flow

CHENNAI: To check the flow of black money into electioneering, the Election Commission (EC) has ordered chief electoral officers (CEOs) of all states to set up village awareness committees. These will keep tabs on candidates and their agents in the Lok Sabha elections.

The EC order follows a proposal by Tamil Nadu CEO Praveen Kumar, who has had to work out innovative ways to check money flow in the state during polls in recent years. Use of black money and unaccounted cash in electioneering was a challenge in recent assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where several seizures were recorded.

Tamil Nadu is considered the birthplace of the 'Thirumangalam formula', a euphemism for organized distribution of money to voters. It was successful in the 2009 Thirumangalam assembly byelection near Madurai. The phenomenon caught on. It was tried last year again during the Yercaud by-election in Salem district.

A senior EC official said, "We've sent circulars to all CEOs to identify expendituresensitive pockets and keep round-the-clock vigil with volunteers' help. These nonpolitical, non-partisan volunteers will be selected by our sector officers and police. Well-meaning youth, NGO staff, retired government servants, ex-servicemen and bank employees will be enrolled in these committees."

Members would be trained to monitor candidates, their agents and key functionaries. They will record distribution of money and gifts, and upload the clips on the EC website, said the official. "The clips will be scrutinized by the commission's district-level complaints monitoring cell and action taken as required," he said. The committee will organize awareness campaigns to promote ethical voting practices, the official said.

TN CEO Praveen Kumar said, "District collectors have been told to monitor its implementation. Participation is voluntary, and we cannot force anybody to join these committees".